Vanuatu's caretaker Prime Minister, Edward Natapei, has appointed six new ministers to his cabinet.

The changes come after Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek last week ruled that the election of Sato Kilman as prime minister in December last year was null and void and Mr Natapei was restored as interim prime minister.

The six ministers are Samson Samsen, the new agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister, Patrick Crowby the minister for internal affairs, the new minister for youth and sports is Eta Rori, Dominique Morin becomes lands minister, Joshua Kalsakau is the new minister for infrastructure and public utilities and Paul Telukluk becomes minister for ni-Vanuatu business.

The VBTC reports that those retaining their posts from the previous Natapei government are foreign affairs minister Joe Natuman, finance minister Sela Molisa, Bakoa Kaltongga as minister of justice and education minister Charlot Salwai.

Mr Natapei says all ministers will remain in their caretaker role until Parliament meets on Thursday to elect a new prime minister.